Die, My Love

  Continuing my walk, after eight steps, I spin around.

  Ha!

  Nobody is there.

  I let my hand fall and roll my eyes at myself. Like that was going to work. Whoever it is, maybe they want to try keeping up with me. As I start to run I feel that energy again, flowing from the earth into my legs and merging with the buzz deep within my chest. The wind on my face and tugging my hair is exhilarating. My feet are silent on the tarmac as I pass a second car. How fast are they travelling down this empty motorway, sixty miles an hour? Seventy? I can go faster.

  How long have I been running? Time seems … strange. I must be far from the castle; I can no longer smell the sea. Should I go back?

  Something darts past, a shadow. I stumble over my own feet, turning so we don’t collide. Who the hell was that! I’m so shocked my feet falter and it’s either I fall, or stop running, and a face of concrete does not sound good. I stop dead in the middle of the road, and turn with wide eyes at the sound of a blaring horn.

  Headlights blind me as the car swerves past. The driver brakes hard, and the car whiplashes around until it’s coasting on its side, tires screeching. Black skid marks sear into the road. White smoke billows as the car jack-knifes around again. The friction is not enough to straighten it out or to hold it to the road, and its two side wheels leave the ground. The car tumbles over. Again, it cartwheels. Hood, wheels, hood, wheels. There is screaming. A body smashes through the windshield and is propelled along the ground until it slides to a stop in a crumpled heap, a smear of blood left on the road. Oh shit. Metal bends and scrapes, glass smashes, the road shakes as the smooth blacktop is ripped apart.

  The car slides to stop on its roof, rocking gently. The monotone horn blares in an unbroken resonance. The car bonnet smokes, cloying; it sticks at the back of my throat. I pause, my terrified heart bouncing.

  Lee, the smell of gasoline and smoke is bad.

  I stagger forward. Is there anybody else in the car?

  Violently, it explodes: the booming force jettisoning fragments of sharp metal. Mangled, a door hurtles towards me and I curl over into a low crouch. The jagged metal flies past my head, which I tuck into the crook of my arm. The heat of the flare-up envelops me, and the ends of my hair cackle and burn. I’m thrown off my knees onto my side and my chin and cheek scrape the ground. Loose stones on the tarmac dig into the flat of my hands.

  Get up, Lee.

  Scrambling up onto my hands and knees, I shriek when the car blows up again, a lesser explosion, but its effect no less forceful. The car hood ploughs into me, knocking me down. This acts as a barrier of sorts to the small and hot bits of rubble that rain from the sky.

  Pushing the heated metal off, I exhale, and lurch up. Mushroom clouds of smoke drift into the night and the burnt out shell of the car is wreathed in orange flames. Cupping a hand over my mouth, tears pool in my eyes at the smouldering wreck. The crackling fire is too hot and my body shies away, liking the heat, but instinctively knowing the blaze is dangerous. I back away, palms up.

  Oh god, Lee, what have you done!

  Hearing another car horn behind me, I pivot on my heel to get headlights reflecting off my eyes. Again? No! My body reacts even as the driver slams on the brakes: the tires screech and the smoke from the asphalt drifts up in a dense fume. No, no, not again! This time the driver did not react fast enough.

  Lee the car will knock you down. Move.

  Energy coils in my gut and shoots down to my legs in a tingly rush. I leap. My leading leg lands with a thud on the car bonnet. The car hurtles forward. On my next bound, I land in a crouch on the roof, my weight denting the steel. I dive, both hands pushed out, as the car propels toward the flaming ball, and land soundlessly on my two feet.

  I pivot around ready to run and grab the car, or something, but freeze. The vehicle is stationary a few feet before the wreckage.

  Leisurely chuckles have my head turning slowly. Ben stands at my side. Lifting my fist he unfolds my stiff fingers to press a kiss to my palm. ‘This is quite a mess, love. I should have known you would be a handful.’ Dumfounded, I stare at him. It feels like hours since I last saw him, but the length of his dark hair is conformation it has been much longer. It used to curl about his ears; it now brushes the base of his earlobes and is swept back over his high forehead rather than falling into his hazel eyes, which dance with mischief. His mouth kicks back at one corner and his dimple flashes. ‘Would you like to play a game with me, dodging cars? The bigger the better. Winner leads the hunt for dinner.’ Jumping over the road partition into oncoming traffic he continues in the direction I’d travelled. He dodges a car then he winks from sight.

  I come back to myself. Did that really happen?

  Three unconscious bodies lie on the grass, one covered in soot. I didn’t save those people … Ben saved them? Sirens and blue flashing lights snap me into action. I back away from the carnage shaking my head. Is he insane? Look at what I did! These people nearly died because of me!

  Ah, Lee? You are going to be hunting these people from now on. Does it really matter how they die?

  Well, yeah, I think it does. This was …wrong of me. I must be more careful. And Ben … Ben! Wait for me!

  I take off after him. He’s kind of meandering across the road, occasionally twisting his head back to see where I am, which is horrifying since he’s playing his suggested game. I’m not buying into his foolishness and run safely on the hard shoulder, but when Ben plays chicken with an eighteen-wheeler my heart actually skips a beat in fright and I lunge to push him out of the way.

  He grabs my arm and hauls me with him. We roll from the road and tumble down a slope into the woods at the edge of the motorway. I lay on my back, scowling up at the sky, heart thumping a jaunty beat before Ben’s smiling face pops into view.

  ‘I win.’ He grins at me wider.

  Growling, deep, pissed off growling. And it’s coming from me. The mischievous imp! How could he scare me like that? Seeing if you can dodge a truck is not fun!

  I stand and pace a circle. Ben rolls onto his back and places his hands behind his head. He watches me with slumberous eyes, letting those dark orbs track up and down my body. “Can you feel it? The power,” he asks after a long moment’s silence.

  My eyes close in spite of my irritation, and I bite my lip. His voice is nothing short of incredible. Smooth and deliciously dark, the way he speaks is nothing short of wonderful.

  Deep sigh.

  So … I get no explanation as to what’s happened? As to why I’m in the middle of the woods pushing him from harm instead of lying in his arms back at the castle? No talk on why he left me in the first place on the night of my turning?

  Nothing is ever simple with you, is it, darling? Is this what I have to endure for the rest of eternity, you driving me insane with your cryptic ways? Do you have any idea how confused and disorientating this whole experience has been for me? I slant a look at him. Oh well. Enough bitching. “Of course I feel it,” I say moodily. “But how do I use it?”

  Ben taps his bottom lip. “Let me see.” He springs up and charges, fist flying toward my face at blinding speed. I catch it one handed, bringing it and him to a dead halt. Exasperated, I kiss his knuckles. His thick eyebrow arches, and he is amused. ‘Will you do that to all your attackers?’ he thinks as he says aloud, “Again?”

  I slouch a little. This is the first thing we do? Well, I suppose fighting is a necessary skill I need to learn, but I had hoped my first night would be about us getting used to me being like him. I’m not trying to be ungrateful or anything but … hey! Ben’s poking around where he’s not invited. ‘Out of my mind,’ I think, annoyed. Now I understand why he objected to my presence in his head.

  I push the thought to him as I eject him from inside my head. I add extra oomph into the move, not sure where the ‘extra’ oomph comes from, and he flies backwards into a tree. My mouth hangs open, and I reach out to him, immediately wanting him back with me. He jerks forward across the spa
ce into my arms. I’m stunned when he slams into me, but I clasp him tightly as I land on my back and he straddles me laughing.

  Okay. I’m beginning to see everything about the new me is very immediate. No time to think just react. Not such a great thing for somebody like me who over thinks everything.

  “I suppose I won’t be telling you ‘no’ anymore, love.” He nuzzles my neck as I gasp and squeeze him before letting go. “And don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. Your mind will settle after a while and you’ll find a nice mental flow that works well with your instincts.”

  His words are soothing, but his lips, not so much. “Like you’ve ever told me ‘no’ before,” I say and turn his head so I can kiss his lovely mouth. ‘You … followed … me?’ I kind of think to him as his hands start to pop open the buttons on the shirt, and kiss my neck and collarbone.

  ‘Hmmm. Of course. I was on my way back when I saw your, ah, graceful exit from the castle tower.’

  He pushes a hand inside the shirt and cups my breast while I get a visual of me falling flat on my face in the grass. Gosh, the thump of me hitting the floor was rather loud. I wince at his memory of the event, and nip his neck. Ben stills. I stop my exploration of his hard stomach and look up at him with a question mark on my face.

  “Do that again,” he whispers as his eyes drop to my mouth.

  Oh look! His pupils are slits again. Hmm. I lean forward and graze my fangs along his neck. His hands are either side of me and dig into the earth. His lower body presses into mine and I lock my legs around his waist.

  Now he’s growling! Oh my. It sounds a little rabid, but whatever, I’ll work with it. The smell of wet dog assails my nostrils. I frown. Okay…. Hot heavy breath tickles the back of my neck, and my hair stirs in a sudden warm breeze.

  Ben goes rigid above me, tension in every line of his body. My wandering hands slow over his heart which is thumping harder and faster. In the scariest voice I’ve ever heard, Ben says, “Lycan, if you value your life, back away. Now.”

  Chapter 11

  Lycanthropes And Lessons

  I peek an eye open and tilt my head to see an upside down maw with razor sharp teeth snapping for my head, but a millisecond too late, because Ben has clutched my wrist and dragged me five feet across the ground while throwing me behind him. Crouched before us is a wolf – smoky in colour with a shaggy coat. My fingers twitch. I would love to stroke it.

  Ben and the wolf lunge at each other then spring back. After a minute or so of them circling each other, I rub my brow. What is this? My heart settles. They’re not going to fight. Both looked pissed enough, but neither is going to make the first move.

  “What are they doing?”

  I jump a mile, strangling a yell. Ben twists round to check on me but the wolf snarls and his attention switches back to pacing a wide circle.

  The voice belongs to a woman. She’s taller than me, but not that that means much. I’m so short most twelve year olds are taller than me. Her dark hair is long and thick. Her endearing features are plain but strong, memorable. Her eyes are big and blue, curved at the edges to give her an exotic look. Cocked in a smile, her lips are full, and her sharp teeth bright white. Skin slick with sweat, she too smells like wet dog. My nose crinkles and I sniff.

  “You’re one too, aren’t you,” I ask, somewhat distracted. Her companion is nipping at my Ben after all.

  Wincing, she rubs her ear then crosses her arms over her chest. Her body is sleek and muscular. “Yeah, guilty as charged snaggle-tooth. What are you doing on my Daddy’s territory?”

  “Snaggle-tooth,” I echo.

  She rubs her ear again and eyes the hand I’m offering suspiciously. I keep my expression open, I’m happy to meet her. With a huff she takes my hand and shakes it twice. “Harmony. Second daughter to Liam, the South West Alpha, and supposedly that mutt’s she-wolf though he’ll have to break my legs so I can’t run before I let him mount me.” She motions to the wolf growling and being tossed around by Ben. “Men can be so presumptuous. Do you know he was sniffing around my older sister until she got engaged? Soon as, he switched his attention to me. Asshole. Yeah, I’ll just accept sloppy seconds.” She makes a noise of disgust. “He was trying to seduce me before you two took a tumble down the hill. Superb timing by the way.”

  She inhales to carry on and I quickly say, “I’m Lee, and I’m … I’m sorry, what are you doing?”

  Harmony sniffs at my neck and hair, circling me, curious. I bat her away.

  “You smell different to the others,” she says, puzzled. “I’ve only met two of your kind in my lifetime but you smell like…” Her head whips around to the wolf facing off with Ben. “Sy!” she snaps. “We’re leaving. Now.”

  The wolf looks up at her with glowing eyes and backs away, still snarling at Ben who brushes his hands off.

  Harmony peers into my face, looking for something. She shoves my shoulder and winks before her face becomes solemn. “If you don’t tell about tonight neither will we.” With that she turns and runs into the trees, her limbs fluidly turning from human to wolf. With a bark at her male companion they disappear into the night.

  Ben looks flushed, a little worn, but … happy? There was no way he enjoyed that.

  “I had some extra energy to work off. It was a pleasant distraction. The wolf needed a tumble too. The female is in heat but denies him.” Ben takes my arm and pulls me back towards the road. “Fascinating creatures, Lycanthropes. Not quite human and not quite animal. They straddle both worlds and their customs blend that of beast and man.”

  “Ben–”

  “Don’t ask questions you already know the answer to, love. You have the knowledge, you have all our knowledge, use it.”

  Right, I’m pissed. We’ve reached the road but I’m in no mood to keep walking. I shake Ben off and push him back. Hands on hips I tip my chin back. “No. You have some explaining to do.” I shove his shoulder and he steps back. “I’ve got a big jumble in my head where my nicely ordered memories used to be.” Shove. “I woke up, alone and frightened, in that big ass scary castle of yours.” Poke. “I have fallen on my face, nearly been run over, almost been bitten by a werewolf, and sniffed by another who had surprisingly good hair, which is annoying since I can’t even get a brush through mine right now.” Poke. Poke. “And you prattle on about how I should simply know the answers to all this … this … foolishness?”

  “Yes.”

  I glare at him then turn and start walking, muttering to myself of an annoying man who should’ve had his head chomped off by a big dog.

  ‘Come now, love. Don’t be angry–’

  ‘Furious, Ben. I am furious.’

  ‘Please?’ Ben is now behind me, holding me still and resting is head on top of mine. ‘I am sorry. I am just relieved and happy, if you can believe it. This has been a … difficult time.’

  “About that,” I say, and turn in his arms so I look up into his dear face. “A month? You could have warned me.”

  His brows pull together. “You said–”

  I place a palm over his mouth. “I know what I said. You still should have made sure I knew something as huge as that. I mean, what about Bethany, and my flat, and my mother, and the gallery? They must be going mental.” I start to pant. “To them it must seem I’ve disappeared without a trace. Like I up and left without another thought of their wellbeing.”

  Ben looks way too calm, so I let go of his mouth. He kisses my nose. “It is better this way. If the world thinks you vanished they will always have some hope of your return. The other way is to stage your death, and do you honestly wish to watch your loved ones grieve you? I thought not. You can care for them from a distance, love.”

  I stare up at him with wide eyes. He’s right, of course. Oh, my mother will search for me I am certain, but she will continue with her life, and like he says, hope for my return. Just when I thought I had a reason to be mad, he goes all Ben on me. My family will never see me again, but I will see them. I will make sure the
y are all right for as long as I exist. How lucky I am to have this man of mine, so sensible. I hug him then shower his face with kisses.

  Ben tips my head back with his forefinger and peers into my face. “Your eyes are so lovely, the most beautiful I have seen, and I have stared into many faces.” I blush under this praise and clasp his wrist, rubbing it softly. “Now, my love, you have changed. You are like me now, and it is important you are aware of exactly what you are capable of.”

  His hand clasps my chin and he pulls me closer so the front of our bodies are flush. My hands rest on his waist and I feel content. Well, apart from the very dry and itchy throat, that is. I swallow with difficulty.

  “Your anatomy looks the same,” Ben continues, his expression noting my discomfort and requesting I ignore it for a short while longer, “but do you feel the changes? You are felid, strong, flexible. Your reflexes are sharp, precise.”

  I nod. I’d jumped over a car, and fallen from a four-storey tower without a scratch. Run at incredible speeds, and had shaken off Ben’s hold; which would have been impossible before he turned me. I do have knowledge of what my body is capable of now, but it’s a jumble, a mish mash. I need time to reorder and sort so when I access it I’m not overwhelmed.

  I’m plagued with doubt. What am I supposed to do with all this extra power. “Can you tell me?” I ask. “Show me what I am now?”

  Ben smiles, his fangs are more prominent now he does not try to hide them from me. Oh my. They make my lower stomach warm up, and I blush, wanting to kiss them. Would he let me? He’d let me stroke them before, and I had licked them when he turned me and we made love. Hmm. Ben shudders and breathes in deeply. He takes a step back, clears his throat, and holds up his hands. Seeing how diverted I am by his teeth, he bats my grasping hands away and points out the most obvious change in me.

  “Your teeth have adapted to kill prey. We constantly use our acute hearing and the ability to see in near darkness…” I nod my understanding, pacing forward as he backs away. “…and not only can you hear sounds too faint for human ears … love! Stop that now. Ah, you can hear sounds higher in frequency than … than humans.” He dodges me again and I growl. “Some that even animals cannot perceive,” he finishes on a sigh, seeing in my eyes I’m not going to stop until I have what I want. “Your sense of smell has also heightened. Combined, these abilities make you the ultimate nocturnal predator; perfect.” As he speaks, he touches these parts of me with reverence. I rub my face into his yummy chest. He smells like wildflowers and seawater. Just like my Ben. I hum appreciatively and tug him closer. “Your range of vocalisations is greater.” Ben’s voice deepens and he strokes me back, tangling his fingers in my hair, and tugging my head back. In my ear he whispers, “Will you purr for me, love?”